Head Cheese

Head cheese

Before the Cro-Mags, Murphy’s Law or Sick of It All, there was Agnostic Front. Led by singer Roger Miret and guitarist Vinnie Stigma, they were the godfathers of the abrasive and abusive cacophony that is NYC hardcore. Launched in 1982, they gigged Sunday matinees at CBGBs before releasing 1984’s seminal slab o’ aggression, the aptly titled Victim in Pain. Its 11 songs — all of 15 minutes — were a blue-ballsy call of frustration, pain and protest. Unfortunately, the band followed thrash punk into speed-metal, disenfranchising many when the movements splintered. AF called it quits in 1993, reunited in 1997, and released their best album since the debut, Something’s Gotta Give. Old enough now to ride the retro-’core wave, they’ve joined 7 Seconds as the premier exemplars of this singular din. Miret took a moment while frying bacon in Canuck-land to catalog his five monomanias of the week.

5. Blood is thicker than punk rock: The first and most important thing always on my mind is my family. My greatest concern is for their health and well-being.

4. They call it dub: I love hot rods and customs, which I strongly represent with my car club, Rumblers CC.

3. The black death: Jäegermeister, which I love to drink — and to tell the truth, I don’t give a damn. It’s just me, the boys and a shot of Jaeger for all my friends.

2. Punk music: I’m always thinking about the state of hardcore, because this is my life and how I live it.

1. My dog would kick Tinkerbell’s little Armani-clad ass: Last but definitely not least is my little buddy Louie, my pet dachshund, who’s even featured in a piece on me in Punk Rock Confidential magazine.

Monday, May 23, at Alvin’s (5756 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-831-4577) with Champion, Death Before Dishonor and others.